Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

July 25, 2005

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for taking time to attend the meeting.

Pastor Robert Stoess, Shepherdsville Church of Nazarene gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

In attendance were Council members Stacey Cline, Tony Miller, Faith Portman, Trina Summers and Alan Wetzel.

Trina Summers made motion to dispense with reading of 7/11/2005 regular meeting minutes. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Stacey Cline made motion to approve minutes as printed. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Sohm reported that the Louisville Water Advisory Board recently met at City Hall. He stated that two years ago Louisville Water Company acquired Shepherdsville Water with plans to do $1.6 million in improvements and within a 4-7 year window for improvements to be complete and rate equalization to take affect. Mayor Sohm stated that improvements are about one-half complete so rate equalization for former Shepherdsville Water customers should be in approximately 3 years for rates to come down to match what Louisville Water customers are now paying. Mayor Sohm explained several projects that are now going on and stated that the Board plans to meet on a quarterly basis so that the public can keep informed on the progress of each project.

Mayor Sohm introduced Police Chief Ron Morris who introduced Shepherdsville’s newest police officer, Mark Brown. He stated Officer Brown has 26 years experience in the Criminal Justice System. Chief Morris also reported that two new recruits started their 16 week training in Richmond today.

City Attorney Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) amending Ordinance 976-13 an Ordinance providing for the unsheltered storage of old, unused, stripped, junked and other automobiles not in good and safe operating condition and of any other vehicle, machinery, implements, and/or equipment which is no longer safely usable for the purpose for which it was manufactured. Tony Miller made motion to adopt. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 005-667.)

City Attorney Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) amending Ordinance 003-575 relating to the imposition and administration of an occupational license requirement, and payment of an occupational license tax by persons and business entities conducting businesses, occupations and professions within the City. Trina Summers made motion to accept Ordinance 005-668 amending Ordinance 003-575. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 005-668.)

Mayor Sohm stated that he was not sure if all the Council had the opportunity to look at the parking problem on 2^nd Street. He stated he feels we should be able to work out the problems by putting parking meters on the street. He stated he wasn’t sure how many parking meters will be placed. Councilwoman Trina Summers stated that the Ordinance regulating parking along 2^nd Street is 40 years old and says it goes to the L & N Railroad overpass. She stated people are still parking on the side of Bullitt County Bank. She further stated that if we take the Ordinance off the books we need to spend the money to define the roadway and sidewalks and make sure the businesses have parking spaces. She stated we need to get the problem resolved with where the road and sidewalk is. Mayor Sohm stated the street needs to be striped. He also stated that parking was taken away in the late 90s from the side of the bank along 2^nd Street. He stated that if we put parking meters up people can park there. Hs stated the meters are in and ready to paint. He also stated that curbing needs to be done on 2^nd Street. Councilman Tony Miller asked if parking would be parallel or perpendicular. He stated it was perpendicular now. Mayor Sohm agreed that parking was perpendicular at this time but parking probably needs to be parallel. He asked if anyone was against parking on 2^nd Street. The Council all agreed that parking should be allowed. Mayor Sohm then stated that we will get the street striped and put the meters back up. Until this is done he feels it would be hard to ask the Chief to enforce this Ordinance. Mayor Sohm asked Public Works Foreman how long it would take to get the meters put up. PWF Walls stated it would probably be a month before he could get the meters up.

Mr. Tim Garrett stated his concern was a safety issue. He stated he has measured the area and if you turn the parking spots 45 degrees and have one way parking it should minimize backing out directly into traffic. He also suggested putting in a southbound turning lane and redefining the lanes. He stated he would like to see the Ordinance stricken from the books and when the times comes passing a new Ordinance. City Attorney Wantland stated it would take two readings for a new Ordinance to be voted in so the earliest would be August 22^nd. Mr. Garrett asked if the businesses on 2^nd Street could get an advance copy of the proposed Ordinance. Mayor Sohm stated that City Attorney Wantland would rely on Council members to determine what the new Ordinance will state. He stated that the City will waive enforcement of parking until a decision is made on what to do about 2^nd Street parking. Councilwoman Faith Portman stated that she feels the people that live upstairs should park on the street and inquired if the City could put signs up. City Attorney Wantland stated we need to let property owner (landlord) know he needs to find a place for his tenants to park. Councilman Alan Wetzel also inquired about signage being put up stating Customer Parking Only.

There was no report from the Sewer, Historical or Transportation/Beautification Committees. Mayor Sohm did report that the fence is being put up along the property on First Street to allow for additional parking at Frank E. Simon Park in the rear. He stated this will add at least 40 additional parking spaces.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) on request by Patsy and William Coulter to rezone 159.30 acres, more or less, located at 2761 Cedar Grove Road from Agricultural to R-3 Residential. Mayor Sohm stated that although the public hearing is not scheduled to be held until August 22^nd there were several people present that will be unable to attend the meeting on the 22^nd who would like to speak. Mary Ann Miller stated she is a property owner that borders on three sides of this property and that she is not against developing, but that she is concerned about the high density of housing. She stated she doesn’t want to jeopardize Heritage Hill by putting a development in with high density housing. She stated she is also concerned about green space; a buffer between properties; and the size of homes. She would like to see each subdivision compliment the other. She also stated she would like to see a minimum of 1600 square foot homes. Ted Korfhage, developer of Heritage Hill also addressed the Council. He stated he was asked to put a minimum lot size, house size and use certain building material. He stated he would like the City Council make developments more responsible by giving easements where needed and setting minimums on what’s going on the property. Councilwoman Stacey Cline stated she would like the property owners to be at the August 8^th meeting for the second reading of the rezoning ordinance.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) proposing annexation of unincorporated territory adjoining the City of Shepherdsville (This is the Candle Shop located on Highway 44 East).

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) providing for the closure pursuant to KRS 82.405 of a right of way known as Croan and Griffin Alley abutting the south side of Kentucky State Highway 44 and near Kentucky State Highway 61 within the corporate boundary of the City of Shepherdsville. City Attorney Wantland stated there was one property owner who has not signed off on the closure request. City Attorney Wantland stated he would need that signature before the second reading on August 8^th.

Discussion followed on taking over streetlight on Heritage Hill Parkway. Mayor Sohm stated the City normally doesn’t take over streetlights until the subdivision is completed. Ted Korfhage, developer of Heritage Hill stated that Phase I is completely done. Mayor Sohm asked Mr. Korfhage how many lights were on the street and Mr. Korfhage stated 16. Mr. Korfhage also reported that the streets have been inspected and bonding is in place. Mayor Sohm asked PWF Walls to check out the streetlights, get cost to take over and we will discuss this request further at the August 8^th meeting.

Bennie Hadley was present to address the Council about his building on N. Maple Street. (Councilman Alan Wetzel recused himself from this discussion.) Mayor Sohm stated that the City’s engineer, Toby Spalding, wants the developer to build the building so that the northwest corner of the building is not build over a drainage easement. He asked the builder to put a manhole in so that drainage problems, if any, could be fixed. Mr. Hadley stated he put the line in himself to keep water off Highland and he is not going to give the City any easement to go on his property. Benny stated he wants to put the building there and leave the line alone. He has a letter from the City’s previous administration giving permission to do this. Mayor Sohm stated that our Design Criteria Specifications requires developers to submit plans to the City for approval. City Attorney Wantland stated he assumes Mr. Hadley put the line into run water from Highway 44 and the problem is someone didn’t ditch along Highland Avenue. Councilwoman Trina Summers asked how deep the line was. Benny Hadley stated 18”. City Attorney Wantland asked Mr. Hadley to get him a copy of the letter giving permission to do this. Mayor Sohm asked Mr. Hadley if he had checked in to putting in two catch basins. Mr. Hadley stated it is not his responsibility to drain Highland Avenue. Mayor Sohm stated to Mr. Hadley that he sincerely believes what he has done here is with good intentions. He stated his reputation for doing the right thing in known. He further stated that the Council needs to decide if the City wants to allow a building to be built over a drainage line. He asked Mr. Hadley how the line would be cleaned out if it got clogged. Mr. Hadley stated he has had no problem with the line so far. Councilman Tony Miller stated the property is Mr. Hadley’s and he should be able to put a building there if he wants to. Councilwoman Trina Summers agreed. City Attorney Wantland asked Mr. Hadley to get the letter to him by the next meeting.

Discussion followed on request from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Posse to hold annual trail ride on August 14th at 9:00 a.m. leaving from Bullitt County Stock Yards. Faith Portman made motion to approve request. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Discussion followed on request by Chief Morris to surplus weapons on list provided to Council. Chief Morris stated these weapons are not being used and can be sold or traded for new weapons. Trina Summers made motion to surplus 12 weapons on list provided by Chief Morris. Alan Wetzel 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

City Attorney Wantland read Resolution authorizing Mayor to sign agreement between Transportation Cabinet and City for funds to be used for the design of KY 1494 (Beech Grove Road). Tony Miller made motion to approve. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Discussion followed on purchase of building permit and financial software to complete update of City’s software programs. Councilwoman Trina Summers asked if this purchase had been budgeted. City Clerk Tammy Owen answered yes.

City Attorney Wantland read Executive Order 05-02 approving the Bullitt County Emergency Operations Plan. Mayor Sohm stated this is so ordered and signed the document.

City Attorney Wantland read Resolution 05-01, Series 2005 adopting the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Trina Summers made motion to adopt. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

City Attorney Wantland read Designation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the basis for all incident management and requiring the use of the Incident Command System in the City of Shepherdsville. Stacey Cline made motion to adopt. Alan Wetzel 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Faith Portman made motion to pay July bills. Alan Wetzel 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Randy Adams and Curt Firkins with Adams Car & Truck Sales on Tollview were present at the meeting to address the Council on his business’s zoning; complaints against his business; and garbage pick up. City Attorney Wantland stated that the City’s zoning map needs to be updated in regard to his zoning (The Planning Commission shows B-1 zoning; the City map shows B-2 zoning.) City Attorney Wantland also stated that several neighbors around his business complained about cars being parked on the sidewalk and on the grass. Mr. Firkins then asked about the cars parked at Bullitt Central High School lot that are for sale. He asked the Council to investigate this. City Attorney Wantland stated that is School Board property and not the City’s jurisdiction. Mayor Sohm stated that unless the School Board asks that the cars be removed the City cannot remove them. Mr. Adams stated that he spoke with the School Superintendent and he doesn’t want the cars there either. City Attorney Wantland stated that the Superintendent can post signs and then have the cars towed. Mr. Firkins also stated that he is dissatisfied with Rumpke garbage service. He stated they pick up sporadically and he feels they receive poor service. The City Clerk said she would contact Rumpke and pass along the complaint.

Lee Redemann, 586 River Oaks Drive addressed the Council stating that there was a sign in front of his neighborhood that was knocked down during a high speed police chase. He stated the residents of the neighborhood have collected the money to put up a new sign and would like the City to take over the lights to light up the sign. Mayor Sohm instructed Mr. Redemann to have to sign and lights put in and once that is done the City will pay the monthly cost for lighting the sign.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there was one new rezoning case for Shepherdsville. Patsy and William Coulter to rezone property recently annexed into the City from AG to R-3 residential. He stated the request passed the Commission 10-1.

Board of Adjustments Appointee Scott Isert was not present at the meeting.

Major Dannye Allen with the Shepherdsville Fire Department reported that the fire service will receive some money from the Homeland Security Grant.

Chief Morris reported that the high weeds behind the Short Stop had been taken care of.

Councilwoman Stacey Cline asked if a letter had been sent to the golf course about high grass. Chief Morris stated he would check.

Councilwoman Trina Summers inquired on playground equipment for the parks. She stated that a City she recently visited used a partnership program with businesses to purchase playground equipment. Mayor Sohm stated there is a consensus that everyone wants playground equipment on First Street.  Councilwoman Summers also stated we will have a lot of people in for the Civil War Reenactment and we need to make sure parking is plentiful. She suggested we look into buying the Machine Shop to make into additional City parking.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss lawsuit and personnel. Alan Wetzel made motion to adjourn to executive session. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Alan Wetzel made motion to return to regular session. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

City Attorney Wantland stated that the Mayor had been given instructions by Council on how to proceed and he will follow through.

Faith Portman made motion to adjourn. Alan Wetzel 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.

ATTEST:                                                                                             APPROVED:

Tammy Owen, City Clerk                                                                  Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor